Entry 1 3-14-2007

1. What are some of the previous research projects you have done?
In New Orleans, I did a research project on Asian culture. I did the labyrinth project and Louisiana history board game at Episcopal.

2. Based on these projects, what does research mean to you?
Research means looking through a lot of information to find facts to use for a project, like a poster or essay.

3. Describe one of your research successes or failures. Why was the experience positive or negative?
The Asian culture project was a success. I found enough information, mostly from the internet and encyclopedias, and I made an A.

Teacher Response March 15

It sounds like research has not been a bad experiecne for you. I hope that you enjoy this research experience, too.

Your grade is 9/10.

Mrs. D.


Entry 2 3-15-2007
1. I think the webbing process helped/did not help me find a topic because:

It helped because I was able to sort through all of my ideas.


Entry 3 3-15-2007
1. Topic: The Battle of Thermopylae
2. Why you chose it: It was a huge battle in Persian and Spartan history.
3. What you already know about your topic: 300 Spartans faced thousands of Persians and held them off. That is cool stuff.

Teacher Response March 16
Your grade is 20/20. And, yes, it is cool stuff.


Entry 4 3-16-2007
How did 300 Spartans defeat thousands of Persians in the Battle of Thermopylae? - the fat question
Who were the Spartans?
Who were the Persians?
What happened at the battle?
When did the battle occur?
Who won?
What myths and legends surround the battle?
Who were the notable soldiers at this battle?
Why did the battle occur?
What weapons were used?
How long did the battle last?
Where did the battle occur?
Who betrayed the Spartans? Why?
How many soldiers were killed?
What happened after the battle?
How did the Persians react?
How did the Spartans react?

Entry 5 3-16-2007
Describe how the pre-notetaking sheet helped you find both focus for your topic and research questions to investigate. Did you find it easy or difficult to create a fat question from your ideas?
The questions helped me decide what I would focus on in the report. It was sort of hard to find a fat question at first.

Teacher Response March 20 - Good topic! 20/20


1. What have I learned today?
I learned a lot about the basic events of the Persian War.

2. What problems have I had?
At first I couldn't find any information, but I started using different searches and fixed that.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?
I will use different searches.

4. What will I do next?
I will keep searching for information about the Persian War.

Teacher Response March 21 - Searches? Search terms? 10/10.


1. What have I learned today?
Xerxes started the Persian War mostly because the Greeks' religion was considered evil and heresy in Persia. He also started it to get revenge on the Greeks for a past war. I searched for "Persian War", "Persian Empire", and "Leonidas" and got good results. I changed my topic to the whole Persian War instead of just the battle at Thermopylae.

2. What problems have I had?
None today.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?
I had no problems.

4. What will I do next?
I'll start looking in the books instead of just using the databases.

Teacher Response March 22 - Good topic. What did you chose as your fat question? 10/10.
STEWART: I chose "Why did the Persian War occur?"



1. What have I learned today?
I learned exactly how the Greeks defended against the Persians, and Athens's reaction to the threat of war.

2. What problems have I had?
None.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?
I had no problems.

4. What will I do next?
I'll finish up the database research, and then I'm done.